NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that a Russian court today convicted American Edmond Pope of spying and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors said Pope, a retired naval officer, tried to buy classified technology for the Squall torpedo, a weapon which moves with lightning speed through the water. Pope's supporters say he was a legitimate businessman, and the Russian technology involved had already been sold abroad. Pope battled a rare form of bone cancer several years ago, and the Clinton administration says he should be allowed to return home for medical treatment.
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